Solidaridad Bookshop by F. Sionil Jose not yet sold
Solidaridad Bookshop, founded by national artist F. Sionil Jose, said it hasn't been sold, taking back its earlier statement provided to the media.
Antonio “Tonet” José, the eldest child of the national artist, told PhilSTAR L!fe on Wednesday, July 2 that there was some internal miscommunication when he first confirmed that "a deal was agreed" a day prior.
In a Facebook post, the bookshop also said that the recent news that it's been sold is "incorrect."
"We apologize to the Varsitarian and other media that carried the story, and most especially to the public that has shown interest in our bookshop, for any confusion this has caused," it added.
The University of Santo Tomas' The Flame reported on Thursday, July 1 that the store was sold for less than P35 million, but the identity of the buyer was not disclosed.
"Hindi umabot ng 35 [million] — kasama ‘yung mga books, mga furnitures… lahat ng naka-display… puwera ‘yung mga artworks. Hindi kasama," Tonet told the student publication.
On June 28, Tonet told UST's The Varsitarian about the decision to put the property for sale.
"After me, none of my siblings will be able to manage it. We are all getting old," he said. Tonet oversaw the shop's administrative affairs.
"My siblings are all abroad, [and] it was only I who came back to take care of our parents and manage the bookshop. If I were a lot younger, I would not sell [it] at all," he continued.
The Solidaridad Bookshop is a staple cultural landmark at Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila, for almost six decades. The sale comes just a few weeks short of the bookshop's 60th anniversary this July 20.
Since it first opened its doors to literary lovers, the place has been regarded as "the best little bookstore in Asia."
Apart from Jose's own works, Solidaridad also holds the writings of other acclaimed Filipino authors such as Jose Rizal, Nick Joaquin, Paz Marquez Benitez, N.V.M. Gonzalez, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Bienvenido Santos, and Lualhati Bautista.
F. Sionil passed away at the age of 97 in January 2022. He was named National Artist for Literature in 2001 and is best known for his Rosales saga, which deals with social struggles in the country.
Among his other notable novels are Ermita, Viajero, Gagamba, and short stories, including The God Stealer, Waywaya, and Puppy Love and Thirteen Short Stories.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Solidaridad Bookshop has not been sold.
